Bissell Pro Heat Series (Upright) 4

(Rating based on single use; might change after repeated using)

There comes a time when many pet owners have to get acquainted with a steam cleaner.  Knowing that I'll be a life-long pet owner, I knew I'd have to get a steam cleaner eventually.  There are only so many times you can spot-clean those occasional "accidents" and kitty food vomit stains.

So, I went with the Bissell ProClean 2X 9200 (it's the version with the 10 cleaning rows; there was another one with 12 rows, but after comparing the two versions, I figured that the price difference wasn't worth it).  

PRICE:  It cost me $189.99 (online, it seems the prices range from $197-$200, so I guess the sale price wasn't that much discounted, but oh well), which seems fairly reasonable compared to other models.  

ASSEMBLY:  Pretty easy assembly, it comprised of putting two big pieces together than putting on the hose/accessory things.  It only took four screws to put it all together, and didn't take very long.

DESIGN:  It's pretty heavy.  Maneuverability is okay, though.  Plus, the water container detaches easily from the main unit, so you can pour out the dirty water and refill the water bladder with clean water without too much difficulty.  Cleaner is housed in a separate container, so you don't have to mix stuff.

PERFORMANCE:  Well, on its first run (the only run so far), it really made a huge difference in any visible stains (took out a stubborn tea stain and what was left of a kitty-vomit stain with no difficulty).  As for smell, the spot that my cat notoriously likes to "miss" in by her litter box (typically when she's mad at us):  practically gone.  Can't smell a thing until I put my nose right against it, and even then it's faint.  I'd imagine the second run will take that out.  The heavy-traffic area by the front door:  dramatic improvement (I don't know how well it can improve, it looked kinda darker than the rest of the carpet upon move-in).  It took several changes of water for just a one-bedroom apartment, but the water was just GROSS.  I know we've been in here for about two years, so it hasn't been steam-cleaned in just about that long, but damn, the water was this greenish-greyish color and full of cat fur.  And that's after a thorough vacuuming.  And it's strictly a "shoes-off" apartment (no, not because I'm a neat freak, but I know better than to track in stuff that might end up harming my cat), so I was surprised.  The carpet seems to also be "fluffed up" and softer, too.  And, the carpet dries fairly quickly.  I'll have to update this part of the review later on after a few more uses, to see how much stuff gets picked up again.  

NOISE:  This thing is LOUD.  The only immediate complaint I have about it is this almost supersonic high-pitched noise that comes from it. I'm sure my neighbors hate me right now.  Probably wouldn't worry me if I had my own house, but I live in an apartment building.

OVERALL:  So far, I'm liking it.  Will probably give it another run next weekend just to compare it to this week